Zot!

Zot! by Bill Stewart & Jim Stewart.
©1990-92 Berkeley Systems Inc.

Part of the After Dark 2.0 collection.

So we come to the last module in the original Windows release. There was a DOS version of After Dark but it seems those modules exclusive to the DOS release are currently lost to history.

I think Zot! works best when combined with one of the rain modules. By itself, this module runs too fast on modern systems. I know, that's a weird thing to say about a screensaver that emulates lightening. Adding this to a MultiModule can get it to slow down just enough to feel right.

In the interest of full disclosure, I had to manually recreate the above screen as taking a shot of the actual module running proved impossible on a modern system.


ZOT! (tm)

Realistic lightning designed by Jim Stewart.

During the period when this module was being developed, the skies were filled with thunder and lightning each night. These flashes of reality greatly contributed to the realism of this effect.

Original version by Jack Eastman.


Works under Windows XP & Vista in greater than 256 colors but runs too fast.

Spiral Gyra

Spiral Gyra by K. Alphonso & J. Casey.
©1990-92 Berkeley Systems Inc.

Part of the After Dark 2.0 collection.

This module runs too fast on modern systems to be watchable. Even when it did run at a more normal speed, it wasn't the most entertaining of savers.

Based on the "in-program" text given below, I don't think the makers of this module were that excited about it either.


SPIRAL GYRA(tm) is another line drawing module with an interesting twist or two.


Works under Windows XP & Vista in greater than 256 colors but runs too fast.

Shapes

Shapes by Bill Stewart.
©1990-92 Berkeley Systems Inc.

Part of the After Dark 2.0 collection.

Again, this isn't one of those really exciting modules that makes you laugh and cry or makes you day dream about all the exciting and wondrous things you will see and options you want to try.

What, that's not what you day dream about?

This seems like one of those modules that kind of had to be included because, if it wasn't, people would wonder to themselves "Self, you and I both know After Dark needs a module where random shapes appear on the screen and nothing else happens. Oh, and self, could there be an option for non-color monitors? Thanks!"

Today, the module works but runs too fast. Still, as there's no real animation, if your wanting the screensaver equivalent of squirrels on caffeine, this may work for you.


SHAPES (tm) fills the screen with a rapid succession of geometric shapes.

Original design and concept by Jack Eastman.

If "Clear Screen First" is checked, the screen is blanked before the shapes start appearing.

Use the "Color" check box to select color or black & white shapes.


Works under Windows XP & Vista in greater than 256 colors but runs too fast.

Punch Out

Punch Out by Bill Stewart..
©1990-92 Berkeley Systems Inc.

Part of the After Dark 2.0 collection.

It's not the most exciting of modules. It does (as they say) what it says on the tin. It does run a little too fast on modern systems but this is less of a detriment for Punch Out than for other modules like Aquatic Realm.

I think this module is best used in conjunction with others in a randomizer as it will punch some holes in whatever graphic it starts with which changes things up a little for the next module.

That all being said, I did enjoy this module when first released. There was something oddly pleasing about watching giant chunks of your desktop float away.




PUNCH OUT (tm) punches holes in your monitor and slides the pieces off the screen in random directions.

Original concept by Bob Schumaker & Chip Morningstar. Sound by Rob Gale.

Cool punch out ideas by José Carlos Colón and Mouse Herrell.

Use the "Shape" drop down list box to select different shapes to be punched.

Use the "Size" slider to vary the size of pieces and the "Speed" slider to vary the speed the punched pieces move.

To hear the sound of each piece being punched out, use the sound control (if sound capability is available).


Works under Windows XP & Vista in greater than 256 colors but runs a little too fast.

Hard Rain

Hard Rain by W. Stewart & T. Elmore.
©1990-92 Berkeley Systems Inc.

Part of the After Dark 2.0 collection.

One of the original line art modules, Hard Rain has not aged well. It runs too fast on modern systems so the ripple effect is lost. Instead of the almost calming image of growing circles lazily appearing on the screen, you get a rapid flash of circles all over the place.

In addition, there have been a small handful of other "rain" based modules released both as official After Dark savers or by hobbyists creating their own modules. These later releases are more than adequate replacements for this Hard Rain module.


HARD RAIN (tm)

Based on original design by James J. Eastman.
See Scientific American, Dec 1987.


Works under Windows XP & Vista in greater than 256 colors but is too fast on modern systems.

GeoBounce

GeoBounce by Ed Hall and R. Herrell
©1990-92 Berkeley Systems Inc.

Part of the After Dark 2.0 collection.

Why in my day, this passed for 3D graphics and we liked it! You young whipper snappers wouldn't understand.

Seriously though, this actually did push some limits in what was possible for a 3D graphic screensaver at the time. Now though, it runs much to0 fast to be pleasant and it sticks to the walls for a moment whenever it bounces due to loading the sound.

GeoBounce was a good little module when it was released and the options had you feeling like you were really toying around with a 3D model. It's also the first place I ever encountered the word Icosahedron.

Oh and yes, the shipped copy wants you to listen "carfully".


GEOBOUNCE(tm) distorts the space-time continuum, permitting glimpses through the fourth dimension to the other side of the universe, which is populated by an intelligent and happy community of Platonic solids.

If you listen carfully ( by using the sound control), you can hear them exclaim as they bounce off the walls (if sound capability is available).

Sound by Rob Gale.


Works under Windows XP & Vista in greater than 256 colors but is too fast on modern systems.

Flying Toasters

Flying Toasters by Bill Stewart
©1990-92 Berkeley Systems Inc.

Part of the After Dark 2.0 collection.

Flying Toasters is, of course, the iconic, classic, After Dark module. It is nearly impossible to think of After Dark without picturing these determined winged appliances and their accompanying toast.

Unfortunately this original 2.0 module runs too fast on a modern computer to be watchable. It does work though and you can watch the toasters zoom across your screen. The good news is, Flying Toasters made a number of returns in later releases of After Dark and those later versions seem to be based on their own animation speed and not the processor speed.

The darkness setting on the toast is a crowning touch and a telltale sign of the After Dark humor found in later modules.



FLYING TOASTERS (tm)

"I really just walked into the kitchen and said to myself, 'Flying Toasters!' and went back to the office and coded it." - Jack Eastman

Original concept by Jack Eastman.
Toaster artwork by Tomoya Ikeda & Igor Gasowski


Works under Windows XP & Vista in greater than 256 colors but is too fast on modern systems.

Down The Drain

Down the Drain by W. and J. Stewart
©1990-92 Berkeley Systems Inc.

Part of the After Dark 2.0 collection.

This module still technically works but is fairly useless on modern systems (I know, this could describe screensavers in general - stop being so negative). The area covered by the "drain" effect is apparently designed for a smaller resolution and does not cover the entire area of a larger screen.

This is odd since the option of adding random dots is not screen resolution specific and the entire screen has some sort of effect happening. I believe the module does use the entire screen but then shrinks the effect down to the smaller size. Speedwise, the module does run too fast on modern systems. The Slow setting allows for the effect to be seen better but is still too fast to make much sense.

It's not a bad module to throw into the randomizer for a quick change of scenery when traveling between modules but Down the Drain no longer works well on its own. And what's with the Stewart guys using different variations of their name for each credit?



DOWN THE DRAIN (tm)

Original concept by Rob Vaterlaus.

The "Direction" slider sets the coriolis force for Southern Hemisphere (Clockwise), Northern Hemisphere (Counter [Counterclockwise]), or on the equator (Inward). The "Drops" check box will add drops for draining after most of the screen is black. The "Drain" check box starts you draining with a drain in the middle of the screen.

Down the Drain by W. and J. Stewart
©1990-92 Berkeley Systems Inc.


Works under Windows XP & Vista in greater than 256 colors but is too fast and does not cover the entire screen.

Aquatic Realm

Aquatic Realm by Bill Stewart
©1990-92 Berkeley Systems Inc.

Part of the After Dark 2.0 collection.

The fish graphics are cute but the animations are limited in this classic module. Though the speed of the module can be turned down by combining with other modules, this saver was replaced by later fish based modules in other After Dark releases and serves little value now. Still, Aquatic Realm should be viewed in its historic context as one of the first "aquarium" based screensaver, a legacy still alive today in modern screensaver releases.


AQUATIC REALM (tm) turns your monitor into a lively undersea environment featuring many colorful marine creatures.

Original concept from Fish! by Tom & Ed's Bogus Software.

Checking "Show Sea Floor" makes this module much more interesting, but a little less of a screen saver.

To hear the watery sounds, use the sound control (if sound capability is available).

Realistic fish artwork by Tomoya Ikeda and Igor Gasowski.

Sound by Rob Gale.

by Bill Stewart
©1990-92 Berkeley Systems Inc.


Works under Windows XP & Vista in greater than 256 colors but is too fast to be usable.